Fact Checked
Medically Reviewed by What is Kiehl’s
Kiehl’s is an American cosmetics company specializing in high-quality skin, hair, and body care.
In 1851, it began as a single drugstore in New York City’s East Village. Kiehl’s was acquired by the L’Oréal Group in 2000 and now has over 250 retail outlets and over 1000 points of sale across the world and sales in high-end department stores, select airport sites, and independent stockists.
Kiehl has been helping men and women fight the signs of aging for almost 150 years. Kiehl skincare products are based on high-quality botanicals and include everything you need to keep your face clear and wrinkle-free.
What Makes Kiehl’s unique?
Kiehl’s moisturizers, masks, face cleansers, serums, and eye creams are just a few of the face and body products available. The company also produces fragrances and has separate lines for babies and men.
One of the benefits of this skincare line is that because the ingredients are so potent, a little goes a long way, which means your products will last longer.
Kiehl’s Skincare – Health Insiders Images
How Does Kiehl’s Work?
Rather than focusing on the latest trend, the brand’s strategy focuses on tried-and-true skincare products. Many botanical extracts are used in Kiehl’s products. According to the company, at least one natural origin raw material is used in 95% of its formulas.
| Features | Cruelty-free |
|---|---|
| Form | Serum |
| Benefits | Enhance, protect, moisturize, hydrate, and improve the overall condition of the skin |
| Ingredients | The active ingredients include Jasmonic Acid, Turmeric, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Hyaluronic Acid |
| Type | Skincare products |
General Specifications
| Primary Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Product Count | 177 |
| Body Parts | Eye, lips, hair, face, skin |
| Form | Serum |
| Assembled product weight | 1.0 fl. oz – 1 L |
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Kiehl’s Top Products You’ll Love
- Ultra Facial Cleanser
- Calendula Deep Clean Foaming Face Wash
- Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
- Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream
- Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate
- Buttermask for Lips
A little goes a long way with this traditional cleaner. Thanks to avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, and squalane, Kiehl Ultra face cleanser lathers up easily and efficiently.
The oils acting as natural emollients won’t rob your skin of its natural oils. The Ultra Facial Cleanser is a versatile product that suits all skin types.
This face cleanser removes debris, oil, and pollutants without damaging the skin’s moisture barrier, allowing the skin to look moisturized and calm rather than dry and tight.
This cleanser is ideal for oily, acne-prone skin or combination.
Kiehl’s avocado eye cream, another fave, is a game-changer.
You’ll notice a change in the morning if you use it at night. It’s suitable for all skin types and makes the eye area velvety smooth and supple. The cream’s silky texture makes it simple to apply without dragging. The non-greasy formula allows it to be absorbed rapidly.
This moisturizer has also received praise. It includes a high-strength wrinkle and fine line reducer.
For irritated, acne-prone, or highly-sensitive skin, this oil delivers a nutritious boost. Oregano oil is used in this non-comedogenic face oil to treat acne and alleviate redness.
When Buttermask for Lips was released, it was an instant hit. For chapped lips, this profoundly moisturizing balm for dry and flaky lips is a must-have.
You can use it at night to wake up with smooth, kissable lips. Filled with mango butter and coconut oil, the tropical scent will remind you of summer.
Pros And Cons Of Kiehl’s
- Offers a wide range of skincare products
- All skin types can use the products
- Hydrates and beautifies the skin
- Uses powerful skincare ingredients drawn from nature and science
- Offers free samples
- Help stabilize skin’s barrier
- Help skin maintain moisture
- Visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- The products are not organic
- Slight side effects, such as skin irritation and sensitivity
- Kiehl’s products are more expensive than drugstore products because they are priced in the mid-range.
Kiehl Ingredients
Kiehl’s products contain various unique ingredients that are too numerous to list. The following are a few of the most active ingredients used by the brand:
Jasmonic Acid
A natural plant extract that hydrates the skin and minimizes wrinkles. It’s frequently found in face oils.
Beech Tree Extract
A magical ingredient that hydrates, moisturizes, and enhances skin firmness.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene are regularly used.
Caffeine
This ingredient reduces puffiness and tones the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
This effective humectant can store 1,000 times its weight in water.
Coconut Oil
Many Kiehl’s products contain a lot of coconut oil. Coconut oil has been used for centuries for its skin balancing and hydrating effects.
Squalane
Squalane is a good emollient for skin and hair since it mimics your skin’s natural oils. It also functions as a natural antioxidant.
Turmeric
Turmeric brightens skin, reduces irritation, and enhances skin health.
How Does Kiehl’s Rate?
| Feature | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 9.5 | Works well on all skin types and targets acne, fine lines and wrinkles, and oily skin. |
| Safety | 8 | Slight side effects such as skin irritation and sensitivity, rashes |
| Skin type | 10 | Suitable for all skin types |
| Preservatives | 10 | Cruelty-free |
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
What Sets Kiehl’s Apart from the Competition?
The brand is distinguished by the fact that at least 95% of its products are made with natural components. They provide you with free samples of the things you are interested in. They’re one of the few brands that genuinely inform you how long it will take for you to notice results from using their skincare/haircare products.
One other great accomplishment is that the packaging is simple yet appealing.
How Does Kiehl’s Compare with Other Brands?
| Brand | Cost Range | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Skinception | $39.95-$59.95 |
|
| Tru Alchemy | $29-$88.80 |
|
| Perricone MD | $30-$290 |
|
| L’Oréal Paris | $8 – $40 |
|
| Lancer Skincare | $80 – $275 |
|
What Customers Think of Kiehl’s
Users of Kiehl’s products have praised the brand. Because of its moisturizing effects, Kiehl’s eye cream avocado, for example, has gotten great responses. One consumer stated that her dark circles vanished when she applied this eye treatment. According to a detractor, the eye cream was too heavy to mix on the skin.
On Sephora, Kiehl’s line reduction concentrate received positive reviews. Customers loved how the concentrate smoothed out wrinkles on their foreheads and made their skin glow.
Users who had breakouts were the ones that left negative reviews. Another product that garnered praise is Kiehl’s calendula toner. The toner was praised for its ability to heal red spots while also moisturizing the skin and containing no alcohol. Though, they were displeased that it contained parabens.
Where to Buy Kiehl’s Products?
Kiehl’s products can be purchased at Amazon, department stores, or online retailers such as Sephora.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Frequently Asked Question
Q: Do Kiehl’s Products Contain Organic Ingredients?
A: According to the brand, the products are created by combining modern scientific technology with natural plant-based mixtures.
Q: Is Kiehl’s Cruelty-Free?
A: Yes, the brand’s products are cruelty-free.
Q: Who Owns Kiehl’s?
A: Kiehl’s was sold to L’Oreal in 2000, and the company still owns the brand.
Q: Is Kiehl’s Any Good?
A: Given their popularity, Kiehl’s skincare products are good. The brand also claims that its products are produced from nature, which appeals to many skincare users.
Final Verdict
Kiehl’s is a fantastic brand in general—after all, they’ve been around for almost 165 years. When it comes to the basics in their Kiehl’s skincare collection, such as moisturizers and face wipes, this brand knows what they’re doing.
Some of their more “niche” products, on the other hand, don’t necessarily deliver the same consistency.
Overall, this is a brand you can trust, and with so many different products to choose from, you can be sure that there is a Kiehl’s skincare product to suit your needs.
Kiehl's Product
11 Sources
Health Insiders relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
[1] Therapeutic Potential of Jasmonic Acid and Its Derivativeshttps://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/16/8437/htm
[2] Beech Tree Extract (Fagus Sylvatica Bud)https://www.skincarelab.org/beech-tree-extract/
[3] Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):253-258. doi:10.4161/derm.21923
[4] Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytother Res. 2016 Aug;30(8):1243-64. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5640. Epub 2016 May 23. PMID: 27213821.
[5] Michalak M, Pierzak M, Kręcisz B, Suliga E. Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):203. Published 2021 Jan 12. doi:10.3390/nu13010203
[6] Do Caffeinated Skin Care Products Work?https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-caffeine-for-skin-care/
[7] Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, et al. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. Published 2018 Jan 17. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012
[8] Huang ZR, Lin YK, Fang JY. Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds: potential uses in cosmetic dermatology. Molecules. 2009;14(1):540-554. Published 2009 Jan 23. doi:10.3390/molecules14010540
[9] Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, et al. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. Published 2018 Jan 17. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012
[10] The hype on hyaluronic acidhttps://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-hype-on-hyaluronic-acid-2020012318653
[11] Herman A, Herman AP. Caffeine's mechanisms of action and its cosmetic use. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2013;26(1):8-14. doi: 10.1159/000343174. Epub 2012 Oct 11. PMID: 23075568.
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